Learn Italian A1 from zero, in English
You don't need to know a single word. From the alphabet and greetings to introducing yourself, ordering at a café, and shopping — explained in a language you actually understand.
Try the first unit freeHow long does this level take? 5-6 weeks
What does A1 mean in Italian?
A1 is the first of the six levels of the CEFR (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) and the start of the “basic user” range. In Italian, an A1 speaker understands and uses familiar everyday expressions and very simple sentences, can introduce themselves and others, and can ask and answer simple questions about where they live, who they know and what they have, as long as the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
In practice, A1 is the level of greetings, introductions, shopping, ordering a coffee and asking for directions. Italian spelling is close to its sound, and Arabic speakers already know double consonants from their own language, so pronunciation is often easier than expected. The verbs and the articles are the parts that need the most patience.
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A1 vs A2: what actually changes
| Skill | A1 | A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | You use memorized phrases and very short sentences about yourself. | You handle short, routine exchanges and describe your daily life in simple sentences. |
| Listening | You understand slow, clear speech and very familiar words. | You understand the main point of short, clear messages and everyday conversations. |
| Reading | You read names, signs, menus and very short messages. | You read short simple texts such as notices, messages and timetables. |
| Writing | You fill in forms and write a few simple lines about yourself. | You write short notes and messages on everyday topics. |
| Grammar | The present of regular verbs, essere, avere, gender and the article. | The passato prossimo, reflexive verbs, articulated prepositions and object pronouns. |
Who needs Italian A1?
A1 is the right starting point for several kinds of learners.
Complete beginners
You do not need to know a single word. A1 starts from the sounds and the first greetings.
People planning to live or work in Italy
A1 gets you through a shop, a pharmacy, public transport and a first appointment.
Learners heading toward A2 for a residence permit
The long-term residence permit asks for A2, and A1 is the first stage of the road there.
Learners who know French or Spanish
The shared Latin roots make many words familiar, so A1 can go faster, though false friends and the verbs still need study.
Exams around A1
There are official A1 certificates, but most learners treat A1 as a stage toward A2. Always check which exam and which level your file or program names.
CILS, CELI and PLIDA at A1
The three main institutes all cover A1. The certificates are pass or fail. Most files ask for A2 or higher.
Lerniyo’s A1 mock exam
At the end of the level, a mock exam in the style of these exams covers listening, reading, writing and speaking. It prepares you, but it is not an official certificate.
Lerniyo's exam is built in the style of recognized Italian certificates (CILS, CELI, PLIDA) — it is not an official registration with any of those institutes. The Lerniyo certificate is a completion certificate for our own curriculum.
What you study in Italian A1
A1 grammar is small but it has to be solid, because everything later builds on it.
- Essere and avere
- “Sono marocchino.” “Ho venticinque anni.” “Sono a casa.” Essere for identity and place, avere for age and possession.
- Gender and articles
- “Il libro, la casa, un amico, un’amica.” Nouns are masculine or feminine, and adjectives agree.
- The present tense
- “Parlo, mangio, dormo.” The regular endings of -are, -ere and -ire verbs.
- Piacere
- “Mi piace il caffè.” “Mi piacciono i libri.”
- C’è and ci sono
- “C’è una farmacia qui.” “Ci sono due bar.”
- Question words
- “Dove?” “Quanto?” “Che cosa?” “Come ti chiami?”
- Numbers, time and dates
- Counting, prices, telling the time and the days of the week.
- Sounds and spelling
- The double consonants, the soft and hard c and g, “gli”, “gn” and the clear vowels.
Mistakes to avoid at A1
- Skipping double consonants: “pala” and “palla” are different words.
- Forgetting gender and agreement: “una casa piccolo” instead of “una casa piccola”.
- Saying age with “essere”: “Sono 25 anni”. Italian uses “avere”: “Ho 25 anni”.
- Getting piacere backwards: “Io piaccio il caffè” instead of “Mi piace il caffè”.
- Using “tu” with everyone: use “Lei” with strangers and officials.
- Not speaking out loud. Italian is easy to read but must be heard and said to stick.
A realistic study plan for A1
Lerniyo’s A1 track is planned as about 5 to 6 weeks at 15 to 20 minutes a day. That is only an estimate. A simple weekly rhythm:
- 1
Learn the sounds first
Spend the first days on the vowels, the double consonants and the soft and hard c and g. Italian letters are quite regular, so this pays off fast.
- 2
Study 15 to 20 minutes every day
Short daily sessions beat long irregular ones. Review old words before adding new ones.
- 3
Speak from lesson one
Say every phrase out loud and practice the introduction with Nour.
- 4
Learn phrases, not only words
Learn “mi chiamo”, “vorrei” and “dov’è…?” as blocks you can reuse.
- 5
Take the mock exam
At the end of the level, sit the A1 mock exam, then move on to A2.
What you'll be able to do after A1
- Introduce yourself: your name, your nationality, your age
- Order at a café or a restaurant
- Shop at the market or a store without trouble
- Ask for and understand simple directions
- Talk about your family in simple sentences
- Understand simple signs and everyday announcements
What you'll do every day
Vocabulary
Everyday-situation words: the café, the market, the house, the family
Grammar
Essere and avere, noun gender (il/la), and regular -are/-ere/-ire verbs
Listening
Short dialogues at a beginner-friendly pace
Speaking
Record your voice from lesson one and get instant feedback
Sample sentences you'll learn in A1
Mi chiamo Amina e vengo dal Marocco.
How you introduce yourself: your name + your country.
Dov'è il bagno, per favore?
Dove = where — used to ask for a place.
Vorrei un caffè, per favore.
Vorrei = I'd like, a polite way to order.
Il treno parte alle nove.
alle + a number = a time — nove means nine.
A first introduction
Ciao! Come ti chiami?
Hi! What's your name?
Mi chiamo Youssef. E tu?
My name is Youssef. And you?
Mi chiamo Sara. Di dove sei?
My name is Sara. Where are you from?
Sono del Marocco.
I'm from Morocco.
What will you learn in Italian A1?
- Greetings and introductions
- Introducing yourself: name, nationality, age
- Numbers, time, and dates
- Family
- Food, drink, and ordering at a café
- Housing and the apartment
- Getting around: directions and transport
- Shopping and the market
- Present tense: essere, avere, and regular verbs
- Gender and articles: il/la, un/una
- Simple sentence order
- Everyday questions: cosa, dove, quanto, perché
Learn Italian A1 in English with Lerniyo
Most apps explain grammar using confusing jargon or a third language, adding difficulty on top of difficulty. Lerniyo explains everything in plain English, so you focus on Italian, not on decoding the explanation.
Italian A1: frequently asked questions
What does A1 mean in Italian?
A1 is the first CEFR level. You understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very simple sentences, introduce yourself and ask and answer simple questions.
How long does it take to reach A1?
About 5 to 6 weeks at a steady 15 to 20 minutes a day, based on Lerniyo’s estimates.
What is the difference between A1 and A2?
At A1 you use memorized phrases about yourself. At A2 you handle short routine exchanges, talk about the past and describe your daily life.
Is Italian A1 enough for a residence permit?
No. The long-term residence permit asks for A2. A1 is the first stage of the road there.
Is Italian easy to pronounce?
Spelling is close to the sound, and double consonants should feel familiar to Arabic speakers. The articles, the verbs and the stress take practice.
Do I need to know Italian already?
No. A1 is for complete beginners and starts from the first greetings.
Can I learn Italian A1 in Arabic or Darija?
Lerniyo explains grammar and vocabulary in your own language, which makes A1 much easier to follow, and Nour gives you speaking practice with feedback.
Does Lerniyo replace the official exam?
No. Lerniyo prepares you with A1-style lessons and mock exams, but it is not an exam center. To get a certificate you must register for an official exam such as CILS, CELI or PLIDA.
Keep going
After A1 comes A2
See A2